ADL Sending 9 Atlanta High-Schoolers to D.C.

Nine juniors from four high schools in the Atlanta area have been named Lynne & Howard Halpern Atlanta delegates for the Anti-Defamation League’s 18th annual Grosfeld Family National Youth Leadership Mission to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

“This mission encourages open communication and frank discussion so our youth can learn the benefits of diversity and be given the tools to combat bigotry,” said Shelley Rose, the senior associate regional director of the ADL Southeast Region office.

The ethnically, religiously and racially diverse group will be in Washington from Nov. 5 to 8 to debate, question and wrestle with bigotry and intolerance in America. The centerpiece of the mission will be a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The museum will educate the delegates about the Holocaust and provide the opportunity to discuss current extremism and bigotry. In addition to Atlanta, Denver, Florida, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Albany, N.Y., and Santa Barbara, Calif., will be represented at the summit.

Local funding for the program is provided by Atlantans Lynne and Howard Halpern.

“I want to participate in this youth mission to learn how to stop hate and prejudice in my school and community,” Annie Echemendia of North Springs Charter High School said to explain her interest in the program. She and Elaine Wren will represent North Springs in Washington.

“I would love to collaborate with other like-minded students to learn how we can eliminate hate,” said Sheefa Ali of Collins Hill High School. Michael Hall and Elliott Veal Jr. also will represent Collins Hill.

“I want to learn ways to push our generation towards equality and justice for all,” said Aden Simmonds of The Galloway School. Eliza Frankel also will go from Galloway.

Marist, the fourth school in the program, is sending Luis Bowen and Lauren Jennings.